Publication year
2016
Citation Title
The marriage checkup: Adapting and implementing a brief relationship intervention for military couples
Journal Name
Cognitive and Behavioral Practice
DOI
10.1016/j.cbpra.2016.01.002
Summary
The feasibility for adapting the Marriage Checkup (MC), a brief intervention for enhancing marital resiliency, for use in a clinic serving an Active Duty military population was assessed. This study presented an adapted MC protocol and sought the internal behavioral health consultants (IBHCs) feedback on the administration of MC sessions. In addition, the fifteen couples who participated in these sessions completed a post and one-month follow-up survey.
Key Findings
IBHCs expressed satisfaction with administering the Marriage Checkup intervention, specifically noting that they felt the Marriage Checkup effectively captured the strengths of the couples.
Couples stated after participating in the Marriage Checkup that the sessions helped them learn strategies to improve their relationship health.
Couples noted that participating in the Marriage Checkup helped them better understand their relationship.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop online modules that focus on effective relationship building strategies for Service members and their partners
Disseminate information regarding possible relationship stressors for Service members and the potential benefits of marriage education programs
Engage young military couples in workshops that focus on developing healthy relationships and communication skills
Implications for Policy Makers
Encourage the development and continuation of programs that can promote resilience in Service members, their partners and families
Recommend professional development for professionals working with Service members families and communities to better understand the effects of stressful experiences on the well-being of Service members and their relationships
Continue to support marriage education programs that address the unique challenges military couples face
Methods
Participants were recruited in Air Force primary health clinics.
Participating Air Force couples completed a survey upon completion of the sessions and one month later about how they felt the sessions benefited their relationship.
IBHCs completed a survey upon completion of administering the sessions about how they felt the administration of the sessions benefited couples relationships.
Data analyses assessed both IBHC’s and participant’s satisfaction with the adapted MC protocol and the sessions.
Participants
Thirty participants (15 couples) successfully completed the sessions and follow-up calls.
Seventy-six percent of the participants were officers, 24% of the participants were enlisted with a military rank of E5-E9, and five dual Active Duty couples in the study.
In terms of race, 41% identified as White, 17% as Latino, 14% as Black, 11% as Asian American, 5% as Multiracial, and 12% Other.
Limitations
The majority of the Active Duty participants in this study were officers in the Air Force; therefore, the generalizability to enlisted members and other branches can’t be made.
This study only had a sample of 15 couples; therefore, can’t be generalizable to other couples.
There was not a focus on the relationship outcomes for the couples; therefore, claims regarding the programs effect on specific relationship outcomes can’t be made.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore the association between military families, military stressors, and relationship satisfaction
Engage in process-oriented and longitudinal studies that help determine the factors that contribute to marital quality and stability over time in military marriages
Investigate the degree to which dual-military couples are at increased risk for lower marital quality and greater instability
Focus
Air Force
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
Given the significant negative impact of relationship distress on the health and well being of members of the military, preventative and accessible care is needed in order to provide crucial relationship support to service members and their families. This paper presents the rationale, key considerations, and feasibility for adapting the Marriage Checkup (MC), a brief intervention for enhancing marital resiliency, for use by internal behavioral health consultants (IBHCs) working in an integrated primary care clinic serving an active duty military population. We detail the adapted MC protocol, which was revised to contain military-centric content and fit into the fast-paced environment of primary care (e.g., streamlined to fit within three 30-minute appointments). IBHCs working in primary care were trained to offer the intervention at two air force bases. Twenty couples and 1 individual have completed the MC and a 1-month follow-up assessment. The MC intervention appeared to be well-received by both couples and IBHCs. In this paper, we provide specific guidance for clinicians and providers who are interested in integrating the Marriage Checkup into their practice.
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